Jeffery Simmons is a Chicago Bear.
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Big Jeff Simmons is a Chicago Bear!
Let’s dive into Week 8.
WEEK 8 PREDICTIONS
Adam Hoge (5-2) | Seahawks 20, Bears 17
There is definitely a path to victory for the Bears, who are good enough to win any game on their schedule. But I’m just too worried about the running game to pick them this particular week.
The Seahawks are getting healthier at running back, while the Bears are not. Kyle Monangai is out again and D’Andre Swift still did not look healthy to me in the limited portions of practice we saw this week, even if he technically practiced in full and is not listed on the injury report.
It’s going to be hard to go into Seattle and leave with a win without a consistent run game. Then again, Caleb Williams could go full Iceman and it won’t matter.
Adam Jahns (5-2) | Bears 24, Seahawks 20
The Bears defense deserved more attention than it was getting before the Jeffery Simmons trade. It’s a dangerous unit that might be overachieving but Simmons’ arrival definitely changes expectations. I believe more in Caleb Williams’ ability to find success against Seattle’s defense than I do in Sam Darnold’s chances of staying out of trouble against Dennis Allen’s unit.
Mark Carman (3-4) | Seahawks 24, Bears 23
It is hard to get past how dominant the Seahawks defense was last week against Kansas City. What’s even more daunting is how fierce the Seahawks are against the run, with the Bears down Kyle Monangai. I do see the Bears getting to Sam Darnold. Put me down for at least one Jeffery Simmons sack and TFL. Give me the Seahawks in a loss that feels close to a win.
Patrick Norton (4-3) | Bears 23, Seahawks 16
It wouldn’t be fair to measure Jeff Simmons’ Bears debut against any other defensive superstar that the Bears used two first-round picks to acquire. It just wouldn’t. Right? This might be the most I’ve looked forward to a Bears game since joining CHGO the same week the Bears drafted Caleb Williams. That’s right — a couple of fan-favorite icons getting involved in Chicago sports at the same time.
Anyway, Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s success is inevitable. The Bears’ best chance to limit the damage is to control the clock like they’ve done so well a few times this season. Certainly won’t be easy, but it’s doable. And it helps to have All-Pro game-wrecker Jeff Simmons, too.
Greg Braggs Jr. (4-3) | Bears 31, Seahawks 28
These kinds of games ruin any integrity I have with score predictions. Like the Packers game, I view this as a game the home team should win. But my heart wants to go with vibes and such. And any self-respecting Bears fans aren’t picking against the Bears in the debut of Jeffery Simmons. So I will not. We’re going with the vibes. Vibes are good.
Joey Christopoulos (4-3) | Bears 20, Seahawks 17
Anyone else tired of hearing about the Seahawks defense all week? I get it. They’re the defending Super Bowl champs. But this is a game where the Bears defense can enter the chat, courtesy of newbie Jeffery Simmons. Obviously, my game score recognizes the powers of Seattle’s defense. But Caleb Williams > Sam Darnold. No. 18 makes enough throws to win a tight one. Please, Cairo, play a clean one out there.
Stephen Nicholas (4-3) | Seahawks 26, Bears 24
Toughest matchup so far, and it comes down to the wire. The Bears’ run game worries me with Kyle Monangai still out and D’Andre Swift playing through the pain. Dennis Allen has taken the opponent’s best weapon out of the game so far this season (Justin Jefferson, Bijan Robinson, Tet McMillan, AJ Brown, etc.), but Jaxon Smith-Njigba presents a challenge unlike any of the others. If they can keep him under 100 yards, they’ll have a chance.
Corey Wootton (4-3) | Bears 24, Seahawks 21
The Bears had 11 days and tape from last Sunday’s Chiefs-Seahawks game to look at and learn from. Ben Johnson will be creative and figure out ways to get ahead with D’Andre Swift running the football and the matchups against the linebackers in the passing game. Eleven days off was important for him to get healthy. Statement game for the Bears in a tough place to play against the defending world champs!
